![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/strike-action-could-hit-summer-holiday-flights-in-europe/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/130316757_airportpassenger_gettyimages-1172499084.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images European flights during the summer holiday period could be affected by a strike by air traffic controllers. Eurocontrol, which manages flights over Europe, has said one of its unions could take industrial action, although no dates have been announced yet. Negotiations are continuing with the union and other unions, Eurocontrol said. Industry group Airlines UK urged Eurocontrol "to reach agreement as soon as possible". Eurocontrol said it was "making every effort to keep negotiations open and to find a constructive way forward". One of its trade unions, Union Syndicale Bruxelles, has "announced a period of six months during which industrial action could take place". It said the action could affect its Network Manager Operations Centre, which handles more than 10 million flights a year. Prior to the pandemic, it had daily peaks managing more than 37,000 flights, and Eurocontrol said the centre played a pivotal role in managing, streamlining and improving air traffic. Eurocontrol stressed that it was in "ongoing dialogue" with the union. "As no notice of specific industrial action has been received, it is premature to speculate on any potential impact," it said. Airlines UK said its members were "looking forward to a busy summer, meeting growing demand for travel and carrying millions of people on holidays". It said airlines have "made huge efforts since the pandemic to build resilience into operations". An agreement between Eurocontrol and union members would "avoid any potential disruption for airlines and their customers", it said. Referring to the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine, it added that air traffic controllers were already having to work within "a more constrained European airspace". Travel expert Simon Calder said the union involved did not have a reputation for militancy, and that instead this was a "cry for help" over staffing levels. During the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, many older air traffic controllers retired,){kind=link}
European flights during the summer holiday period could be affected by a strike by air traffic controllers.
Eurocontrol, which manages flights over Europe, has said one of its unions could take industrial action, although no dates have been announced yet.
Negotiations are continuing with the union and other unions, Eurocontrol said.
Industry group Airlines UK urged Eurocontrol “to reach agreement as soon as possible”.
Eurocontrol said it was “making every effort to keep negotiations open and to find a constructive way forward”.